Gejha school gets new WASH facilities

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Rotary Club of Delhi Ashoka, D 3012, with support from RC Box Hill ­Central, D 9810, ­Australia, ­renovated ­existing ­toilets, built new ones and ­provided ­handwash ­facilities in a school at Gejha near Noida. The project, costing $30,000, has been ­implemented with TRF’s global grant and is one of the 11 ­government schools the club aims to ­modernise, in partnership with an Australian partner. World Vision India is supporting the project for capacity building.

WinS Target Challenge Committee Chair Sushil Gupta and Member Ramesh Aggarwal with Union Minister of State Mukesh Sharma during the ­inauguration of toilet blocks in the school at Gejha.

The Rotarians equipped the toilets with ramps for easy ­accessibility of ­differently-abled children, ­beautified the school with better flooring, a fresh coat of paint and rebuilt the compound wall. A Bal Sansad was formed where children spread the ­message of health and hygiene and ensured its practice among their ­classmates. ­Children, as agents of change, took the message home to inspire their parents and ­neighbours on hygienic practices and persuade them to build toilets and stop open defecation. “I was surprised to note the upsurge in attendance and we are also getting several ­enquiries for new ­admissions for the next academic year, thanks to the Rotarians,” said School Principal ­Hariyali ­Srivastav. Teachers were also trained to supervise and educate the children.

Left: Students demonstrate group handwashing for the guests.

Complimenting the clubs’ initiative, ­Trustee Gupta reiterated his concerns for ushering in behavioural change in the society as a whole for a sustained ­accomplishment. Union Minister Sharma pointed out that the ‘group hand ­washing’ practice is a path breaking concept which will ensure children learn and promptly follow the handwashing exercise at appropriate times. The club’s initiative should inspire other local schools to seek Rotary’s help for similar ­interventions, he said.

Updates on WinS

The Rotary Foundation, in consultation with RI Director C Basker and WinS Chair Sushil Gupta, has formed a new committee — the Rotary India National WinS Recognition ­Committee — replacing the district recognition committees formed earlier in every district. This new ­structure is designed to streamline communications and ­provide better support to Rotary clubs interested in the Target Challenge and will be operational till 2020. The team comprises 12 Rotarians — PDGs Raman Aneja, Sarbjeet Singh, R Reghunath, Ganesh G Bhat, Arjit K Endow, Bindu Singh, Ramesh ­Aggarwal and past presidents Hemant ­Jagtap and Balasubramaniam, with PDGs ­Sambasiva Rao Patibandla (D 3150) as Chair, A B Mohapatra (D 3262) the Vice Chair and Ramesh Agrawal (D 3054) the Secretary.

Thirteen of 46 applications from the five ­Target Challenge countries were shortlisted for Phase
I of the WinS Competitive Grants which involves $10,000 for assessing community needs. The WASH in Schools steering committee has recently shortlisted six districts, of which two — D 3131 and 3211 — are from India, for the second phase funding of $150,000 – 500,000.